Keeping Mum

Time Out says

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4 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

A would-be black comedy in a rural British setting, this sees vicar Walter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson, of course) employing a housekeeper, Grace (Maggie Smith), who just happens to be a released murderer. Equally unimaginative casting comes in the form of Kristin Scott Thomas as a foul-mouthed, frustrated wife and Patrick Swayze as a pervy American golf pro who gets the village ladies in a spin. Grace sets about solving the Rev Goodfellow’s family problems in her own unique style while the family engage in farcical sitcom banter (sometimes funny, sometimes not). It’s like dumping a serial killer into a very, very long episode of ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ and expecting it to work: there’s no artful black comedy here, just an uncomfortable clash between broad provincial humour and a murder plotline. The central cast are up to the job: Smith deadpans delightfully when she can, and Atkinson upgrades his bumbling ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ performance to mildly amusing effect. But despite its genial characters, ‘Keeping Mum’ is an undisciplined, ultimately unsuccessful experiment in British black comedy.

Watched this on film4 last night. A failed attempt of a film trying to masquerade as an Ealing Comedy? Full of lazy sterotypes, from bumbling vicars to brash Americans to boy crazy teenager. Charmless!

How wrong can a film critic be? Did he ever even watch this film? I've just watched it on TV and thought it was a delightful, lighthearted piece of traditional British comedy. Sure, a minimal use of bad language but only to comedic
effect. Wonderful.

How wrong can a film critic be? Did he ever even watch this film? I've just watched it on TV and thought it was a delightful, lighthearted piece of traditional British comedy. Sure, a minimal use of bad language but only to comedic
effect. Wonderful.

Have to disagree with the review. I thought the film was hilarious. Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas were particularly good as housekeeper and wife. Both managed to deliver truly unbelievable lines with flair (and straight faces, which can't have been easy). It's a pity Rowan Atkinson didn't get more of a part, his job is mainly to be oblivious.

Have to disagree with the review. I thought the film was hilarious. Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas were particularly good as housekeeper and wife. Both managed to deliver truly unbelievable lines with flair (and straight faces, which can't have been easy). It's a pity Rowan Atkinson didn't get more of a part, his job is mainly to be oblivious.